Maryville, Mo. -- A five-run fifth inning did in the Missouri Southern baseball team today as the Lions fell 8-6 at Northwest Missouri State in the series opener for the two teams. 

Southern (15-6, 8-5 MIAA) led 4-2 after four and a half innings, but Northwest (6-15, 5-8 MIAA) scored five in the fifth and another in the sixth to put away the game. 

The Lions fell behind 2-0 after the Bearcats scored a run in each of the second and third innings. Southern, however, scored four runs in the fourth to go up 4-2. 

Sam Ryan doubled to start the inning and Jesse Kinzey doubled behind him scoring Ryan. Tee Helsel walked and he and Kinzey were sacrificed over by a bunt from Dane Kolkmeyer. Thomas Wilson walked to load the bases and Luke Acosta then singled home Kinzey for the Lions' second run of the inning. Cullen Baxter then singled home both Wilson and Helsel. 

Southern starter Cody Griebling had allowed just three hits going into the fifth inning, but Northwest touched him up for five runs in the inning. Michael McCoy would add a two-run home run in the sixth to get the Lions within one, but Northwest answered back with its final run in the bottom half of the inning. 

Griebling started and went four and two thirds, striking out four. Bo Bergen and Grant Conrad thre the fina three and a third in relief. 

Baxter went 3-4 with a pair of RBI's and a run scored. McCoy was 3-5 with a home run, two driven in and a run scored, while Kinzey was 2-4 with a run and an RBI. Acosta also drove in a run, while Ryan and Helsel scored a run each. 

The Lions will be back in action tomorrow afternoon with a double-header beginning at 1 pm.